Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program

The Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program (MSYEP) began in 1992, and for more than twenty years has provided skills and workforce opportunities year-round for thousands of Evanston at-risk youth ages 14-18. As a workforce development and non-law enforcement crime prevention initiative, the MSYEP emphasizes real-world labor expectations, increases the awareness of services offered by local community based organizations, and provides opportunities for career instruction, financial literacy training, occupational skills training, and social-emotional growth.

The program gives participating youth up to nine weeks of entry level work experience in a variety of jobs / industries through community based organizations, city government departments, and private sector businesses. To participate in the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program, a youth must be: an Evanston resident (reside in zip codes 60201 or 60202*), be currently enrolled in school, be between the ages of 14-18**and must attend the MSYEP job fair on March 3rd.

*Students who are not eligible to participating in the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program should look below for other employment opportunities
**For program eligibility, students must be 14 by program start date, June 11th, 2018

I attended the March 3rd MSYEP job fair - What's Next?

All students who attended the job fair will find out their placements beginning the week of April 9th by calling Evanston 3-1-1 or 847-448-4311.

My name is on the hire list, what do I do?

Congratulations! You've been selected to participate in this year's Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program! Your employer will be in direct contact with you via the e-mail and/or phone information you provided at the March 3rd job fair. Please allow up to two (2) weeks for employer(s) to contact you.

Students are encouraged to check their emails and voicemails regularly as offers will be extended via email and/or telephone. Youth will be given 3-business days to accept or decline their summer job offering. Those who do not respond within this time-frame will jeopardize their employment opportunity.

If you have not been contacted within two (2) weeks, follow up with Evanston 3-1-1 to confirm your contact information and/or for additional assistance.

What if I didn't get a job at the job fair?

Students who are not matched with summer employment will be placed on a waitlist. If any additional positions become available students will be notified. We encourage students who did not hear back about employment to explore additional employment opportunities such as Six Flags Great America, Home Depot, and the Youth Job Center (below).

Missed the job fair?

Students who were unable to attend the Saturday, March 3rd job fair can find additional employment opportunities at the following companies / organizations below.

Six Flags Great America

Interested in applying and working at Six Flags Great America during the summer with the potential of year-round employment? Interested applicants must be at least 16 years of age upon applying.

To apply, follow the steps:

Visit sixflagsjobs.com

Select Six Flags Great America as the Park

Apply and submit your online application to any applicable positions of interest

Youth Job Center

The Youth Job Center has two upcoming employment opportunities available for current Evanston Township High School students and incoming freshmen:

1. This Way Ahead: The TWA Program is a partnership that the Youth Job Center has with GAP Inc. and we are able to place youth ages 16+ into various Old Navy, GAP, and Banana Republic stores for a 10 week paid internship (with the opportunity to be hired on permanently based on performance).

Summer Tutors: Youth are employed as tutors and classroom aides to assist teachers in Evanston District 65 summer school program, serving elementary and middle school students.

ABC Boosters: High School students employed as tutor / mentors, assisting teachers in Disctrict 65’s Jumpstart program in partnership with Evanston Public Library’s summer Literacy program, which serves preschool-aged children. This program focuses on opportunities for 14 and 15 year olds.

Evanston Kingian Nonviolence Institute

The first annual Summer Kingian Nonviolent Institute in Evanston is a fun and intensive six (6) week part time employment opportunity for up to twenty-five (25) Evanston Township High School students. The program includes field trips, guest speakers, and culminates in participants becoming certified Level 1 trainers. Participants will learn:

Types and levels of conflict

Principles and steps of nonviolent conflict reconciliation

How to conduct a nonviolent campaign

and more!

Certified trainers will have the opportunity to work with faculty in creating a "peace in the schools" program at Evanston Township High School during the 2018-2019 school year. To learn more about the 2018 Kingian Nonviolence Summer Institute click here.

To apply for the 2018 Evanston Kingian Nonviolence Institute, complete this form.

For more information, please call/text 847-448-4311. For convenience, residents may simply dial 3-1-1 in Evanston.